Since 1991, civil war between government and Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displacement of more than 2 million people (well over one-third of population), many of whom are now refugees in neighboring countries. After several setbacks, end to 11-year conflict in Sierra Leone may finally be near at hand. With support of UN peacekeeping force and contributions from World Bank and international community, demobilization and disarmament of RUF and Civil Defense Forces (CDF) combatants has been completed. National elections were held in May 2002 and government continues to slowly reestablish its authority.

Geography

Sierra Leone

Location:

Western Africa, bordering North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia

English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in south), Temne (principal vernacular in north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of population but understood by 95%)

based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by president with approval of House of Representatives; cabinet is responsible to president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms
election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC 22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2

Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. It does have substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development, following a 11-year civil war. About two-thirds of working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for domestic market. Plans continue to reopen bauxite and rutile mines shut down during conflict. major source of hard currency consists of mining of diamonds. fate of economy depends upon maintenance of domestic peace and continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset severe trade imbalance and to supplement government revenues.

large UN peacekeeping presence ended civil war but rebel gang fighting, ethnic rivalries, illegal diamond trading, corruption, and refugees spill over into neighboring states beset with their own civil disorder, refugees, and violence